Nigeria’s economy is set for a stronger, more competitive future as the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, pushes forward sweeping trade and revenue reforms. His leadership was on full display at the 62nd meeting of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Board in Abuja, where the Service’s half-year results revealed a major leap in performance.
Under Edun’s watch, Customs generated an impressive ₦3.7 trillion in the first half of 2025, that is 12.5% above budget targets and 25% higher than the same period in 2024. He described the result as commendable, but stressed that it is only a first step toward meeting the Tinubu administration’s ambitious revenue and economic transformation goals.
Central to this reform agenda is the National Single Window Initiative, a state-of-the-art digital trade platform scheduled for full rollout in 2026. This initiative is designed to revolutionise import and export operations by cutting delays, reducing transaction costs, and improving efficiency.
According to the Minister, it will not only increase Customs’ speed and capacity to process trade, but also significantly strengthen revenue mobilisation while making Nigeria a more attractive destination for investment.
Mr Wale Edun further underscored that the modernisation of trade systems directly supports the private sector, enabling businesses to thrive in a more transparent and efficient environment. By reducing bottlenecks, the reforms will open opportunities for small, medium, and large enterprises to compete globally, while also fostering economic diversification.
The meeting also confirmed governance and institutional improvements within the Customs Service, including senior-level appointments and promotions, aimed at enhancing professionalism and capacity in line with global best practices.
Mr. Edun concluded by aligning the Customs performance and reform drive with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader economic agenda: stabilising inflation, strengthening the naira, and building a transparent, technology-driven trade ecosystem that catalyses private investment and sustainable growth.
